Let’s Keep this Election Above the Social Fray

When it comes to local elections, in many ways Stoneham is a small town and candidates running for office are familiar members of the community, whether they be family, friends, or acquaintances. It is exciting to see so many residents vie for public office, however, with that excitement comes a sense of trepidation for the abandonment of healthy debate in favor of misleading half-truths and unjustified character attacks. My first-hand experience with this negative behavior dates to the late 70s and early 80s, and later in the mid-90s when my father, Patrick Jordan, served on the Board of Selectmen. More recently, I have seen this behavior in the last several elections when I have supported candidates at both the local and state level.

This year, Raymie Parker is running for Selectman. I have known Raymie for more than a decade and can think of no better addition to the Board. I have seen her take on many endeavors over the years and without exception she brings insight, wisdom, and fairness to everything she does. I am thrilled by the prospect of her becoming a Selectman. Unfortunately, with her announcement, came the inevitable anxiety knowing that by agreeing to run for office, I would have to watch someone who I respect and admire be smeared by campaign tactics designed to drag her down instead of lift the community up.

It has been less than a week since candidates began making their official declarations and a scattershot of anonymous online Letters to the Editor have appeared on the Stoneham Patch. For some reason, the Patch has allowed for several “jOHN dOUGH” accounts to be created. These letters, sent from two separate accounts, seemingly take aim at the incumbent candidates, but later suggest that earlier letters were purposeful lies told at the urging of another candidate. As confusing as this correspondence is, the suggestion is clear - the readers are to conclude that Raymie was behind it. Anyone who knows Raymie, knows this is ridiculous and not the way she operates. However, it was intended to reach those who do not know her.

This isn’t the first time “jOHN dOUGH” has made his or her way into the political forum. During the 2014 Selectmen race, the same anonymous name was used to write a scathing attack against Raymie and in support of then candidate AnnMarie O’Neill on the eve of the election. Again in 2015, the same occurred with a false FaceBook account under the name “Marie King,” who smeared both Raymie Parker and a candidate in the 2015 election, for taking vacation with friends. Certainly, no candidate endorsed this attack, but it left an indelible mark on the election.

The Patch has been made aware of this misstep and is taking action to correct it, but sadly the posts have been seen and shared by many already.

It is hard to imagine who would be lerking behind an anonymous account seemingly designed to attack those running for Selectman. It is sad to think he or she is doing this in hopes of lifting one candidate, by knocking another down. It is even sadder to think it is being done for amusement to the detriment of our political process and town government. Regardless of motive, I hope residents see this for what it is. A distraction and an attempt to undercut the credibility of a good person who is looking to move the town forward.

I strongly encourage all candidates to run a positive and productive campaign and all the “well-meaning” supporters of any candidate to keep it above the social fray.

Kimberly Jordan Plourde | George Street, Stoneham, MA